Tom Brady open to accepting some form of suspension

The federal court hearing over Tom Brady’s four-game suspension may go on today without him. If there is no deal, the Manhattan judge has said he hopes to rule by September 4, six days before the Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL’s season-opening game.

An investigation found that Brady “was aware of and took steps to support” deflating the footballs that the Patriots used in the AFC Championship Game in January, according to an NFL press release.

Schefter reported Brady will accept punishment for not participating in the investigation but not for directly being involved in the deflation of any footballs. Considering Brady’s attorneys recently filed documents stating the NFL has done nothing but attempt to ruin his flawless image, it looks like the sides will continue to fail to reach an agreement. Nash called Brady and the NFLPA a “disappointed grievant” and added that the “findings of the commissioner are entitled to deference”.

Berman also said he had a problem with Goodell’s defending the penalty by saying it was comparable to those handed to players who use performance-enhancing drugs.

The NFL declined to comment on whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would be there, though neither was required to attend. “Brady is not preparing to accept a suspension as part of a settlement with the NFL, according to a source who refuted any reports suggesting otherwise”.

The sides are scheduled to appear back in court August 31 at 11 a.m. if a settlement hasn’t been reached.

Berman carried the proceedings forward Wednesday by hearing oral arguments, and then lawyers on both sides talked behind closed doors.

The league is represented by NFL Management Council Daniel Nash as well as Gregg Levy and Adolpho Birch. He also was uncooperative in the opinion of the NFL and Goodell during independent investigator Ted Wells’ search for details. Judge Richard Berman announced last week that the attendance of Brady, Goodeel and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith wouldn’t be mandatory.